The Mississippi NAACP has issued a statement. This, as authorities reveal that one of the teens who was on the boat with Nolan Xavier Wells was the first to report him missing on the evening of July 4.
RELATED: Mom Of Teen Who Was On Horn Island With Nolan Xavier Wells Speaks As Ben Crump Alleges 18-Year-Old Was Involved In “Argument”
Mississippi NAACP Issues Statement
According to WXXV News 25, on Thursday, July 9, the organization issued a statement. This, regarding the disappearance and discovery of the body of Nolan Xavier Wells. The body of the 18-year-old was discovered on Horn Island. This, in Jackson County, Mississippi, on July 6. Furthermore, the organization asserted that it “stands in profound grief” with the teen’s loved ones.
“Nolan was a young man of immense promise, a beloved son, a dedicated student, and a talented athlete who deserved a long, full life. More than his titles on a roster or a transcript, Nolan was a young man with a great character and positive energy… At the end of the day, regardless of what the investigation reveals, Nolan was a young man who deserved to live a long, full life. His life being cut short under such uncertain circumstances is a devastating blow to the Ocean Springs and Southwest Mississippi communities, and to our entire state,” the statement continued.
From there, the organization noted that it has been in contact with the Wells family, offering “unwavering support and resources.”
“As the family navigates this unimaginable loss and searches for the truth, the MS NAACP is firmly committed to ensuring that Nolan’s death is investigated with urgency and absolute transparency. Given the deeply concerning contradictions in initial accounts, reports of prior altercations, and the unanswered questions surrounding how Nolan was left behind, we call upon the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and all involved state and federal agencies to pursue every lead without bias or delay,” the statement continued.
Ultimately, the organization is calling for “the immediate and full release of all law enforcement records, witness statements, available video evidence, and autopsy reports.”
“We will not rest until all facts are brought to light, accountability is established, and justice is served for Nolan Xavier Wells,” the statement concludes.
Read it in full by clicking here.
Authorities Reveal Teen Who Was On Boat With Nolan Xavier Wells Was First To Report Him Missing
According to the SunHerald, the statement arrives amid the U.S. Coast Guard revealing a new detail about the search for Wells. Per the outlet, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Cheyenne Basurto revealed that an initial missing persons call came in on July 4, reportedly around 11 p.m.
“At approximately 11 p.m. on July 4, 2026, the Coast Guard was notified of a missing person near Horn Island. The initial notification did not require Coast Guard assistance,” Basurto reportedly shared.
Per the outlet, on Thursday, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter confirmed that “one of the three young men who traveled to the island with Wells made the first missing-person report.”
